Obituary

Karen S. Barnhart, 84, passed away August 22, 2026 at her home surrounded by family. Visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and funeral services at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 31st at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit, MO. Burial at Floral Hills Cemetery will immediately follow.

Karen was born July 16,1942 in Independence, MO to Aileen and Sewall Hersh. She attended Rock Creek Elementary School and Van Horn High School. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State College with a Bachelors of Science in Education and was a member of Tri Sigma sorority. After graduating, she was a high school home economics teacher until her first son arrived. She later worked in the family business.

She was married for forty years to her high school sweetheart, Jeffrey L. Barnhart. Jeff and Karen raised three sons together in their Lee’s Summit home.

Karen was a wonderful homemaker and a gifted and prolific craftswoman. Throughout her life, she enjoyed sewing, rug hooking, wreath making, floral design, and other activities such as baking, tennis, computer games and boating. She loved decorating the home and seasonal crafts during the holidays.

Karen was a lifelong horticulturalist and served thirty years as a National Accredited Master Flower Show Judge. She was a member of the Raytown Garden Club for twenty-one years, other Federated Garden clubs for thirteen years, sat on the FGCM & Central Region Boards, and served as director for the West Central District. She designed the flower & water gardens around her home, which were featured in a book, Great Gardens of Kansas City, and the magazine KC Better Homes and Garden.

Karen loved traveling throughout the US and abroad. She enjoyed snow skiing in Colorado, going to Las Vegas, visiting Turks and Caicos islands and traveling to many other places within the US. She also went on trips throughout Europe and Asia with some of her favorite places being Great Britain, France, China, and Russia. Karen was an avid cruiser with numerous trips to the Caribbean, Gulf of Alaska, Mediterranean, North and Baltic Seas.

Amongst many of Karen’s activities, being a member of the Junior Service League of Independence was definitely something she enjoyed. She participated for several years and during her time in the organization, she served as the president for one term.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Jeff Barnhart; her sister, Sarah Heide; her mother, Alieen Hersh; her father, Sewall Hersh; and her daughter-in-law, Michelle A. (Todd). She is survived by Todd (Michelle L.), Brian (Jennifer), Kirk (Rikki), grandchildren Ashley (Max), Sheridan (Cito), Faye, Cayla (Zach), Lillie, Tyler, Kai, and great-grandson Kason.